Weekend messages..Apex and MCC

I went to two different services this weekend.
On Saturday I went to Apex. Rob talked about the Prodigal son . The focus is put on the younger son many times when the actual focus should be the father.
Which brother are you?
The younger brother is lost. So is the older brother.
Two ways we are alienated from God

1 Through self discovery
2 Through moral conformity

The younger brother makes a scandalous request by asking for his inheritance..in this culture this would be a dishonor to the father. The pharisees know this
He goes on an empty journey..living with pigs would also be unclean in the jewish culture
He comes to a sobering conclusion that he needs to come back.
Shocking homecoming...the father runs to him. In this culture the son would go to the father and the the father doesn't have to forgive.
The fattened calf signifies meat that they would have only eaten in special occasions

The older brother has a disrespectful response and a response of injustice
Many of us are like the older brother. We are obsessed with entitlement. " I go to church,I do my quiet time, I serve..therefore I'm entitled to...a good job,a child,a bigger house....etc
The only thing we are entitled to is hell...anything above that is grace.
Both brothers are trying to control the father.
You can obey the word of God and be lost.
A divided ending
Both sons are guilty of wanting what God provided...not God himself.

On Sunday I went to MCC(Miamisburg Christian Church) to visit my friend Adam who leads worship.
Adam...you did a great job with Cannons! :^) and I realized how much I've missed your prayers.
They are doing a series on Next Steps for their church
The church exists to help people begin and build their relationship with Jesus.
I really liked the quote on prayer they gave
"God rules the world through the prayers of His people."
"In prayer,real prayer, we begin to think God's thoughts after Him: to desire the things he desires, to love the things he loves. Progressively we are taught to see things from His point of view." Richard Foster

They are using the saying: Plug In..Charge Up..Live Out
He took each of these areas and applied them to their church and the goals they see for the church to help in these areas.

For Plug In..the goal is to plug in to a relationship with Jesus. So many people in Ohio that do not plug in to a church. 18% of Ohio population attend a weekend service..1/5.

Charge Up is becoming involved in the small groups. I know from my own experience that unless you become part of a smaller group..you don't get that feeling of belonging. You don't connect on that more intimate level where you are sharing your life with those who genuinely care for you. "The way to God is seldom traveled alone"

Live Out...is becoming involved in the ministry and living out your faith...not just on Sunday. Their church is in the process of planting churches in Canada and New York. They are looking out to see how they can make an impact on other areas of the world by changing the future of 200+ children around the world.

Two churches..same focus...change lives for the glory of God.